The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), the leader in ambulatory health care accreditation, announced its newly elected 2016-2017 board officers today. The new officers, who were elected at the AAAHC annual board meeting, bring to their leadership roles a wealth of knowledge and experience in patient-centric ambulatory care.

Elected as chair of the board of directors, Meena Desai, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist and managing partner for Nova Anesthesia Professionals in Villanova, Pennsylvania. She is currently the president of the Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia and has been involved in several professional organizations including the American Society of Anesthesiology.

“Organizations are seeking a collaborative partnership and consultative resource in an accreditation provider, and AAAHC continues to offer these services to a growing number of markets,” said Desai. “I look forward to helping AAAHC lead by example as we focus on patient safety and best practices to improve the quality of health care in conjunction with all member organizations.”

Kenneth M. Sadler, DDS, MPA, MAGD, FACD, FICD, FADI will serve as the new vice chair. Dr. Sadler is the president of Kenneth M. Sadler, DDS and Associates, PA, dba Winston-Salem Dental Care, a leading dental practice located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Sadler previously served as treasurer and is an active surveyor for AAAHC.

Dr. Sadler is currently the president of the American Academy of Dental Group Practice. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserves with the rank of Colonel in 2003, with his last duty assignment as the Pacific Regional Dental Commander (IMA).

Dr. Sadler is also past president and member of the NC State Board of Dental Examiners and a life member of the American Association of Dental Boards.

New treasurer Arnaldo Valedon, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist and vice president and chief of the ambulatory surgery division of First Colonies Anesthesia Associates, LLC, in Rockville, Maryland. He is also a board member of Acreditas Global, the international accreditation body of AAAHC.

Dr. Valedon has held leadership positions in several professional associations including the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, the Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia, the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the International Association for Ambulatory Surgery.

Ira Cheifetz, DMD, a retired Diplomat of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, will join as board secretary.

Dr. Cheifetz is a past chief of the oral and maxillofacial surgery division at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton in New Jersey, holding that position for over 11 years. He currently serves on the board of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation as Treasurer and a member of the executive committee, and has been a surveyor for AAAHC since 2012.

For more information on AAAHC or accreditation options, visit www.AAAHC.org.